DESIGN PRINCIPLES

With help from Kilburn & Nightingale Architects, Guludo has been designed according to principles, which will minimise the impact on the environment and ecology while maximising benefits to local communities including;

- The buildings will sit happily in their environment and among their neighbours - well suited to climate and setting. The resort and its infra-structure will be discreet and not dominate the landscape.

- The building process will serve to develop local capabilities and empower local people with new skills, knowledge and techniques.

- The presence of the resort should not put at risk local ways of life, customs and resources.

- Construction methods and building materials will be selected that are, as far as possible, locally available and that are capable of being readily repaired and maintained.

- The resort and its activities will respect local customs, religion and culture.

- The building and its operation should generate as little waste as possible and avoid environmental pollution.

- The resort will be designed to be economically sustainable [i.e. to be capable of operating profitably without being so expensive to construct as to be economically unrealistic or irresponsible].

- The design should take account of longer term future developments. The buildings should be suitable for re-use when no longer needed or capable of being recycled or demolished leaving minimum trace.

- The design should minimise energy use [in particular fossil fuels] in the selection of materials, the process of construction and the operation of the resort.

It is intended that the standard of design, detailing, construction and ecological responsibility will be of the highest quality. The lodge aims to be a model for future developments and be capable of being audited against international standards.